Switch blade device



May 10, 1932. B, wADswQR-m 1,857,487

SWITCH BLADE DEVICE Original Filed March 24, 1921 9am J INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES TION OF KENTUCKY Original application filed March 24, 1921, Serial No. 455,027. Patent No. 1,675,435, dated July 3, 1928.

PATENT oFFicaenoaen B. WADSWORTH, or covme'ron, KENTUCKY, AssIenon TO THE wnnswomui f ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING coMrAnY, or covrne'ron, xnn'rvcxv, A CORPOBA SWITCH BLADE nnvrcn Divided and this application filed July 2, 1928. Serial N0. 289,943.

My invention relates to devices for fastening switch blades, such as are usually formed of copper strip or bar, to fiber, such as is used to carry the copper parts into and out of switch contact.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 455,027, filed March 24, 1921, now Patent Number 1,675,435, issued July 3, 1928.

It is my object to provide a simple and effective means for securing copper blades to the fiber bars in electrical switches, which will not call for the perforating of the fiber with holes, thus weakening it, and whlch 1n addition assures a true right angle position of the blade with relation to the copper. In addition my improvement assures that the blade will never get out of its true angle, and this is very important in switch manufacture because if the blades get somewhat out of line they will not enter truly into the contacts of the switch and wear will be set up and improper contact made.

I accomplish my objects by that certain construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings A Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the types of my invention. V

Figure 2 is a plan view of the attachlng clip used in this type of my deslgn.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of type of my invention.

Figure 4 is a plan View of the attaching clip used in this second type.

I do not desire because of showing but two types of my invention to limit myself to them alone.

I have not illustrated a complete electrical switch because my invention is applicable to another all types of switches of the familiar type having fiber bar elements on which the blade or blades of the switch are secured for the purpose of moving them to a position of contact and position out of contact with acting terminals in electric circuits.

My invention relates to the mode of secur-v ing the fiber to the copper blade, and I provide' one of two pre'ferred forms dependent upon the size and weight of the parts.

Fora small switch .the plate or attaching clip 26 is stamped out having bifurcated tongued ends 27, 27, one tongue on each end being longer than the other. A

The fiber piece 20 is notched or slotted across the botto1n,as at 28, to receive'the blade 19, say of copper, and the'plate "or attaching piece 26 is set over the free side of the fiber and bent over the blade, straddling it, with the bifurcated ends. The long tongue at each end isthfen bent over at 29 to engage a small notch formed for this purpose in the blade. This notch is better shown in Figure 1 with regard to the other embodiment of the invention. 7

The entire operation of mounting the blade to the fiber can be done in a press with great rapidity, as compared to the labor of securing the parts together by screws. In addition screws will come loose, and the tapping i of screw holes in fiber is a weakening of it, sothat a tendency to break is developed. Furthermore the arrangement is suchas permits of no twisting of the blade, and assures that the operation of the fiber element will not develop improper contact of the blades with the sockets or forks of the terminals for which they aredesigned. 7

' F or the larger work where it is desirable that heavier construction be employed, I provide a plate 30 as an attaching clip, which plate has slots 31, 31, therein, through which the switch blade 32 is passed. -The fiber is grooved as before to seat the blade, and has a hole 34 in its upper side deeper than the notch in the first instance. r A

The attaching piece is first bent and slipped over the blade, the blade and fiber piece placed inthe press, and the ends of the at taching piece formed smoothly over the top of the fiber bar, with the tongues 31a, at the ends of the attaching piece, bent down into the hole 34. r i It .will'be observed that this example of my invention is heavier and stronger than the' first, which is called for when the parts are heavier and greater force isto be anticipated 'in the manipulation thereof.

ice.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r 1. In an electrical switch, the combination with a bar of non-conductive material slotted transversely to receive the switch blade, and means for securing the blade to the bar'comprising a metallic clip havingportions to engage over the bar and the blade, and to en:

gage two opposed faces of the blade on either side of the bar, and having portionsto be turned over beneath the blade. i. 2. In anxelectr-ical switch, the combination with a bar of non-conductivematerial, of a blade of conductive material and a clip adaptedto'straddle the bar and the blade on both sides of the bar, and to engage beneath theblade at separate pointsby being bent thereunder and hold the blade against the bar.

3, In an electrical switch, the combination witha bar of non-conductive material, of a blade of conductor material and a clip adapted to straddle the bar and the blade on both sides of the bar,'and to engage and hold the blade against the bar, saidbar being slotted to provide a seat for the edge of the blade, and said clip having turned over portions whereby the engagement of the several parts is established and held.

4: In an electrical switch, the combination with a bar of non-conductive material, of

' a bladeofconductor material and a clip to secure the blade to the bar, said blade being notched to engage the clip in planes at right angles'to theflbar, and the bar notched to seat the blade and retain-it against movement in planes-parallel to the bar, said clip having l portions to'engage the bar by being bent over the same and to straddle the blade on both sides of the bar, and a portion to engage the notched portion of the blade.

' 5. A clipfor securing a switch blade to a switch bar, comprising a, metallic plate formed with interspaced slots to receive the blade When'the clip is bent to a U shape, a portion intermediate said slots toengage beneath the blade, and portions to 'be bent over above the bar when the bar lies between legs of the U. 1

. 6. In an electrical switch the combinationwith a bar of non-conductive material grooved transversely, a blade engaged in said a groove, and having a notch ongthe under side, and a clip for holding said bar and blade in engagement, said clip comprising a metalr lic plate formed with intersp-aced slots to I U shape, a portion intermediate said slots to 00' receive the blade when the clip isvbent to a engagein said notch in said blade, and portions bent over above said bar'when the bar lies between the legs of the U,;whereby the clamping of'the metal of the clip holds several parts together.

GEO en B. WADSWORTH 

